By Michael Rivera, PhD
Patients’ interactions with doctors were once limited to visits. Then it moved to phone calls and text messages. There was no way for medics or hospitals to regularly assess patients’ health and make recommendations.
Due to the increasing need for high-quality healthcare systems worldwide, the industry is looking for innovative and sustainable solutions to serve various stakeholders better.
The Internet of Things (IoT) has broad applications in various fields, especially healthcare. With faster internet speeds, improved analytics, technological advancements, and more competitors in the market, IoT has a more substantial chance of making a meaningful impact on the healthcare industry now and in the future.
How IoT Is Revolutionizing Healthcare for All Stakeholders
The 2022 International Consumer Electronics Show saw a record number of companies with healthcare IoT solutions, such as care robots, intelligent home camera systems for tracking the aged at home, and smart speakers. Experts project the wearable technology market to reach $74.03 billion by 2026.
It is now more evident than ever that this is the future of healthcare delivery. But forward-thinking health organizations are already leveraging its benefits. Here are ways that IoT-enabled devices are impacting the healthcare industry:
The Benefits of IoT for Patients
Wearable gadgets such as fitness bands and wirelessly connected devices such as glucometers and blood pressure monitoring cuffs give patients access to personalized care. These sensors can be programmed to remind patients of calorie control, blood pressure changes, appointments, exercise, etc.
For example, digital chronic management software can handle high-risk, high-cost Medicaid and Medicare patients. Also, personalized remote monitoring can improve patient compliance in managing chronic illnesses like COPD, hypertension, congestive heart failure, diabetes, and asthma.
IoT for Doctors
Physicians can better check their patients’ health by deploying wearables and other IoT-enabled home monitoring equipment. They can keep track of whether or not patients comply with their treatment and whether or not they require immediate medical assistance.
IoT allows healthcare providers to be more attentive and proactive in their interactions with patients. Data from IoT devices can help doctors determine the optimal treatment method for their patients and attain the best outcomes.
Application of IoT in Hospitals
Hospitals can use IoT devices with sensors to track medical equipment in real-time. This includes wheelchairs, defibrillators, nebulizers, oxygen pumps, etc.
Other benefits of IoT devices to hospitals are curtailing infection spread through IoT-enabled hygiene monitoring and aiding asset management such as pharmacy inventory control.
IoT in Health Insurance
To prove that IoT is revolutionizing healthcare delivery, health insurance companies are not left out! IoT devices ensure transparency between insurers and customers in claims handling, underwriting, risk assessment, and pricing processes. Customers will understand the logic behind every decision taken and process outcomes due to IoT-captured data-driven decisions in all operating procedures.
Final Thoughts
All IoT use cases above are already being used. Healthcare workers cannot afford to overlook the impact of this innovation because it is the future of healthcare delivery. At Thinaer, our team of technologists, PhDs, data scientists, and businesses is driving an improved healthcare experience for leading healthcare organizations through tailored IoT devices and software. Contact us today for revolutionary software in any industry.